Mitochondrial DNA Test (mtDNA)
Common uses for the mtDNA Sequencing Test:
1. To supplement the results a relationship test, such as a sibling test, grandmother test, aunt test, or cousin test
While DNA parentage tests (paternity test and maternity test) can always provide an absolutely conclusive result regarding parentage, other relationship tests types are not as discriminating as the DNA parentage tests. DNA Sibling tests, Grandparentage tests, Aunt/Uncle tests and Cousin tests are usually only ordered when the parents are not available for testing and there is no other choice but to test other relatives because these tests are not as discriminating as a parentage test. If a kinship test is performed and the result is not conclusive enough, mtDNA testing can be considered as a supplemental test type for the kinship test to see if individuals are linked on their maternal line. All individuals (both male and female) who have descended from the same maternal lineage will have the same mtDNA profile. If two individuals do not have the same mtDNA profile, it would conclusively confirm that they are not related along their direct maternal line.
Here are some examples of situations where a mtDNA sequencing test may assist in supplementing a relationship test:
a) To check the relationship between a grandchild and a maternal grandmother (mother’s mother)
If a Grandmother test between an alleged maternal grandmother (mother of alleged mother) and an alleged grandson or granddaughter does not provide a conclusive result, comparing their mtDNA to see if it matches can provide further confirmation. If the alleged maternal grandmother and grandchild have completely different mtDNA profiles, it will conclusively confirm that the alleged grandchild is not the true biological grandchild of the alleged maternal grandmother.
b) To check whether two siblings have the same mother
If a sibling test between two alleged siblings (either gender) does not provide a conclusive result, additional mtDNA testing can be performed. If the two siblings do not have the same mtDNA profile, it will conclusively confirm that they do not share the same biological mother.
c) To check whether cousins have the same maternal grandmother (to see if their biological mothers are sisters)
If a cousin test between two cousins (either gender) who allegedly have the same maternal grandmother does not provide a conclusive result, additional mtDNA testing can be performed. If the two cousins do not have the same mtDNA profile, it will conclusively confirm that they do not have the same maternal grandmother and that their biological mothers are not sisters.
d) To check whether an alleged maternal aunt or uncle (sibling of alleged mother) is the biological maternal aunt or uncle of a child
If an aunt or uncle test performed between an alleged maternal aunt or uncle (sibling of alleged mother) and a child (either gender) does not provide a conclusive result, additional mtDNA testing can be performed. If the alleged maternal aunt or uncle andchild do not have the same mtDNA profile, it will conclusively confirm that the alleged maternal aunt or uncle is not the true biological maternal aunt or uncle of the child.
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2. To check whether two individuals (either gender) have descended from the same maternal line, even if they are not immediate family members
Individuals who have descended from the same maternal line will have the same mtDNA profile, even if they are not immediate family members. Any two individuals (both male and female) can test and compare their mtDNA to see if they possibly descended from the same maternal line. If the test shows that two individuals have different mtDNA profiles, it would conclusively prove that they definitely are not from the same maternal line.